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Pathfinder teens volunteer with flood recovery efforts in South Prairie, Wash. (Trei Decker)Pathfinders from Auburn City Church help with flood recovery efforts as part of the annual conference-wide Pathfinder teen retreat. (Trei Decker)Trei Decker, from Auburn, hauls a sandbag during a Pathfinder retreat service project to help a local community recover from flooding.

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Adventists Respond To Storms

“I really enjoyed working with all the teens to help people recover from the flood,” says Marissa Minnich, 16, who shoveled mud and dirt. “It was hard work, but it was worth it. It was fun to make a difference and actually see the progress made.”

Pathfinders are not the only ones making a difference in the community following widespread winter flooding in the Northwest. Adventists across the region are making a difference in their own communities.

Auburn Adventist Academy loaned 200 to 300 cots to Pierce County to use in emergency shelters. Members of the Auburn Academy Church helped a fellow member clean out a flooded home. Sunset Lake Camp was put on alert to serve displaced people in the Orting area. Although the camp facility was not used, camp staff helped serve meals to survivors and responders.

"As Adventist Disaster Response works officially with city, county and state governments in response to specific needs," says Byron Dulan, Adventist Community Services–Washington executive director, “we’re encouraging individuals to help their neighbors.”

In Chehalis, Cameron Beierle, KACS Christian radio station manager, and his son, Cameron Jr., made a difference when they manned the radio station studio during the height of the storm and provided flood watch reports to the community.

As Adventists continue to seek ways to help the community, Adventist Disaster Response has two requests. “Please evaluate your family disaster preparedness plans,” says Dulan, “and consider volunteering to help with long-term recovery efforts.”